Ivanov's comments come shortly after Georgia allowed a Russian military convoy to travel to a Russian base in Georgia, ending a two-day standoff.

The Russian convoy left Tbilisi yesterday for the Russian base in Batumi on an inspection trip. But the Georgians stopped the Russians about halfway into the 500-kilometer trip, saying the convoy lacked proper permission. The standoff continued into today.

But reports now say Georgian authorities have given permission to the convoy to travel to the base.